MCSCPM -Chapter 34 Her Loss of Chastity Is Discovered

Thus, half-persuaded and half-driven away by Mei’er, Xue Zhenyu was forced out of the courtyard. She touched her face and glared viciously at the closed gate. “Yin Qingyue— a gentleman’s revenge may take ten years, but it will come!”

Once Xue Zhenyu had left, Yin Qingyue instantly shed the drowsy look she had just been wearing. She sprang up from the couch in a few quick movements, full of vitality and not the least bit fatigued.

“Miss, you’re amazing! Even Miss Xue couldn’t do anything to you!” Mei’er said happily, grinning.

“I told you already—Xue Zhenyu has no brains. She only relies on being reckless, charging head-on into everything. Mei’er, remember this saying: ‘The soft fear the hard, the hard fear the fierce, and the fierce fear those who don’t value their lives.’ In the past, we were the soft ones, so of course we couldn’t deal with her. But now we’re playing the fierce role. We destroyed her face right from the start and didn’t bother reasoning with her—how could she not submit?” Yin Qingyue covered her mouth and laughed, her confident and proud expression nearly leaving Mei’er dazed.

“But Miss… how did you ruin her face so easily?” Mei’er asked, her expression turning puzzled. To make her own young lady look ugly, Mei’er had gone to great lengths just to come up with the idea of painting that ugly makeup. Yet Yin Qingyue had only needed a single cup of water to turn Xue Zhenyu and her maid into such a miserable state.

“It’s very simple. Do you remember the herbs I ground yesterday?” Yin Qingyue smiled and began explaining some basic herbal knowledge to Mei’er.

Mei’er nodded. “I remember. Weren’t those just ordinary fragrant herbs? I recall they smelled quite nice.”

“That’s right. The herbs I ground were donkey-hoof grass and hellebore. They do have a pleasant fragrance, but if their juice is extracted and applied to the face, it causes bumps and rashes to break out. Mei’er, from now on, keep some of this herbal juice with you—it can also help protect yourself,” Yin Qingyue said with a smile, explaining everything clearly.

“Miss, you’re really incredible!” Mei’er couldn’t help but exclaim, her admiration for her young lady growing even stronger.

“Of course. Your Miss simply didn’t want to lower herself to their level before—it doesn’t mean I lack methods. Mei’er, follow me and learn from now on. We’ll never have to live at the mercy of their moods again!” Yin Qingyue said with a radiant smile.

At the same time, inside the imperial study of the Western Ze Kingdom’s palace, Emperor Nangong Lin was discussing state affairs with his two sons.

“Regarding this year’s taxes—cough, cough!” Nangong Lin barely got halfway through his sentence before clutching his chest and coughing violently, his face flushing red as he struggled to breathe.

Seeing this, Crown Prince Nangong Xiao hurried forward a few steps. His usually cold yet handsome face showed rare concern. “Father Emperor, are you all right?”

The Third Prince, Nangong Chen, unwilling to be outdone, let a trace of mockery appear on his sharp features. “With a hundred women from the Fallen Dust Courtyard praying to Heaven, Heaven will naturally bless Western Ze. How could Father Emperor be unwell? I truly don’t understand what Elder Brother means by asking that.”

Nangong Xiao said coldly, “Not a hundred—ninety. Ten fifteen-year-old girls have already died this year!”

Nangong Chen raised his eyebrows, utterly unconcerned. “So what? That they can use their lives to pray for Father Emperor is their honor! Elder Brother, why speak of ‘dying’? They offered themselves for Father Emperor—this is a great glory to their families! It means their ancestors accumulated virtue!”

Nangong Xiao turned to Nangong Chen, his face filled with anger. “Human lives are at stake! Third Brother, how can you be so cold-blooded? They, too, were born of parents—they are also Father Emperor’s subjects!”

Nangong Chen sneered. “Elder Brother, don’t forget that Father Emperor has no choice! The mystic officials’ divinations said so. If Father Emperor doesn’t let them pray, Western Ze will suffer calamity. You pity them now, but if Western Ze faces a great disaster, wouldn’t far more people suffer?”

“Occult arts are nothing but heretical nonsense—utterly untrustworthy! Heaven values life; how could it demand human lives?” Nangong Xiao retorted angrily.

“Enough!” Nangong Lin slammed the table heavily, triggering another bout of coughing. “Xiao’er, you are still so stubborn. I am the Son of Heaven—my actions must accord with Heaven’s will. The Fallen Dust Courtyard was Heaven’s instruction. How could I not comply?”

“Father Emperor, please don’t be angry. This son knows his fault,” Nangong Xiao said, pressing his lips together with a sigh.

Nangong Lin shook his head, his brows filled with grief. “Xiao’er, you are the son I value most. Even though your mother lost virtue and was deposed, I still made you Crown Prince. Yet why are you so obstinate? With the gods above, if you do not respect spirits and deities, how will Heaven bless you?”

“Father Emperor, the sages said: ‘The noble man does not speak of strange powers and spirits,’ and also, ‘Respect ghosts and gods, but keep your distance.’ I believe that everything depends on human effort. As long as I govern diligently, the realm can be brought to peace,” Nangong Xiao said, cupping his hands in salute, his expression resolute and unwilling to yield even half a step.

“Elder Brother is still so ignorant of the immensity of Heaven and Earth—he even dares to doubt the mystic officials,” Nangong Chen said with a light snort.

“Chen’er, hold your tongue!” Nangong Lin frowned deeply. “Xiao’er is the Crown Prince and your elder brother. Whether by emotion or by reason, you should not speak so. Even if you firmly believe in Heaven, if Heaven were aware, it would not bless someone who disrespects his elder brother and shows irreverence to his sovereign!”

Nangong Chen lowered his eyes and bowed his head. His expression was hidden beneath his loose hair. “Father Emperor’s lesson is just. This son knows his fault.”

Beneath his wide sleeves, Nangong Chen’s long fingers clenched tightly into fists, veins bulging.

Why did Nangong Xiao always have to overshadow him? Why? His mother was Consort De, while Nangong Xiao’s mother was merely a deposed empress. He was accomplished in both civil and martial matters, no less than Nangong Xiao. He handled affairs decisively, capable of making major decisions, while Nangong Xiao was timid and soft-hearted. He catered carefully to Nangong Lin’s preferences—since the emperor believed in mystic arts, he searched everywhere for mystic officials. Yet Nangong Xiao not only disbelieved in them but frequently argued with Nangong Lin over the matter.

He had done all this—so why could Nangong Lin still see only Nangong Xiao?

Whenever he and Nangong Xiao clashed, Nangong Lin always made him apologize for one reason only: he was the younger brother, the subject!

But are kings and nobles born superior by nature? If Nangong Xiao could be Crown Prince, why couldn’t he?

Suppressing the fury boiling in his heart, Nangong Chen forced a calm smile. “This younger brother spoke out of turn just now. I ask Elder Brother to forgive me.”

“No matter,” Nangong Xiao said, waving his embroidered sleeve to show he did not mind.

“Sigh… looking at you both makes me feel truly old,” Nangong Lin said, rubbing his temples. “I only hope you can each fulfill your duties and together protect Western Ze, so we do not suffer the heavenly calamities foretold by the mystic officials.”

“Speaking of the Fallen Dust Courtyard, there is something I would like to ask Father Emperor’s opinion on,” Nangong Chen said, eager to find an excuse to leave the palace for a while—seeing Nangong Lin and Nangong Xiao’s display of fatherly affection was simply too irritating.

“Go on,” Nangong Lin said, nodding, then coughing again.

“Although the mystic officials selected these women as Heaven required, they come from all corners of the land, including some stubborn regions. This son fears they may not understand the profundity of mystic arts and may not pray sincerely, provoking Heaven’s wrath. Therefore, I wish to visit the Fallen Dust Courtyard to explain the wonders of mystic arts and also check whether any women harbor resentment,” Nangong Chen said with lowered head.

Nangong Lin nodded in satisfaction. “You have such thoughtfulness—very good. Go. I permit it.”

Nangong Chen bowed deeply. “This son thanks Father Emperor for the permission.”

After that, he slowly retreated with head lowered. Only after exiting the imperial study and watching the eunuch close the vermilion, carved doors did he straighten up, fling his sleeve back, relax his tightly furrowed brows, and let out a long breath.

The Fallen Dust Courtyard—this was his only leverage to contend with Nangong Xiao. Only through the courtyard and mystic arts could he gradually seize Nangong Lin’s favor.

For the sake of his grand plan, the Fallen Dust Courtyard had to remain firmly in his grasp, operating exactly according to his design. He would not allow the slightest deviation!

Nangong Chen narrowed his long, upturned phoenix eyes, his elegant brows drawing together slightly as a cruel curve formed at the corner of his thin lips.

Turning to the guards beside him, he commanded, “Prepare a horse at the palace gate. I am going to the Fallen Dust Courtyard.”

When Nangong Chen arrived at the Fallen Dust Courtyard, Zhao Mama—having already received the news—led all the head matrons of the courtyard to kneel at the entrance in welcome.

Nangong Chen dismounted, his face cold as he slowly walked toward the courtyard.

Zhao Mama and the others kowtowed respectfully. “This servant greets the Third Highness!”

Nangong Chen flicked his gaze over them briefly before looking away, his steps never pausing. He merely said flatly, “Rise. Come inside and speak.”

Zhao Mama stood up with a complicated heart, bending slightly as she followed behind him, secretly pondering the reason for the Third Prince’s sudden visit.

What matter could possibly bring a prince of such status personally to the Fallen Dust Courtyard?

Uneasy, Zhao Mama followed Nangong Chen into the most imposing courtyard—usually used for prayers. Seeing him enter the room and take the main seat, she hurried in after him, her plump body dropping to the floor as she stammered, “I wonder why Your Highness has come. Does His Majesty have any instructions?”

Nangong Chen glanced at her and said indifferently, “Nothing major. Father Emperor sent me to see whether there are any women here who do not follow the rules.”

Zhao Mama’s flesh quivered all over, her heart trembling. What did he mean by “women who do not follow the rules”? Had the emperor heard some rumor?

At the words “do not follow the rules,” Zhao Mama’s thoughts instinctively jumped to Yin Qingyue—the ugly, impure girl under Prince Jing’s protection who had slipped out of the Fallen Dust Courtyard more than once. She embodied “rule-breaking” to the extreme.

But even though she knew this, she dared not say a word! That unchaste ugly girl belonged to Prince Jing. Even if Zhao Mama were given ten times the courage, she would not dare offer her up.